Social Crowdsourced Parlay Gaming System and Method

ABSTRACT

A unique online and mobile, social sports betting system where players submit single bets on future sporting events, to form multiplayer parlay tickets. A parlay, in this case, is a single wager that links together multiple unique bets whose outcome is dependent on all of those bets winning. Registered users in the system can only submit one bet to any given parlay ticket, but can participate in multiple parlay tickets. If all the bets in the parlay win, each player equally shares in the parlay payout. If one or more bets do not win, players that win or push their individual parlay bets get the cost of the ticket refunded, while losing players cover the cost of the entire parlay ticket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/699,440, filed Mar. 21, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/483,303 filed Sep. 23, 2021, entitled “SocialCrowdsourced Parlay Gaming System and Method,” which claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/139,931 filed Jan. 21, 2021,entitled “Online and device based social sports gambling platform,” theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed generally to wagering systems, andmore particularly to a wagering platform where single bets arecrowdsourced from registered users to form and submit parlay tickets.

BACKGROUND

A parlay ticket is a single betting wager with an exponential payoutbecause it links together multiple individual bets. The larger thenumber of bets in a parlay ticket, the larger the payout, withexponential returns. A 3-bet parlay might pay 6 for 1, a 4-bet parlaymight pay 10 for 1, and a 12-bet parlay might pay 3000 for 1. The riskfor making the wager and receiving the large payout is that each andevery individual bet within the parlay must win. If any of theindividual bets making up the parlay loses, the entire parlay ticketloses. If any of the bets in the parlay pushes, the parlay reverts to alower number of legs with the odds reducing accordingly.

Individual bets in a parlay can be based on one of the following bettypes: against the spread, money-line betting, or under/over totalpoints scored. An against-the-spread bet is a bet on a team in asporting event such that the team's margin of victory in points must beabove or below the published spread point value. A money-line bet is abet that a team will win, with a payout based on their published odds ofwinning, and with no consideration to the margin of victory. In order tocalculate the payout of these types of bets in a parlay, one mustmultiply out the payout for all games. For example, if 3 teams are −385favorites, a successful parlay on all 3 teams winning would pay out at aratio of approximately 1/1. This is because (385/485){circumflex over( )}3 is approximately 50%. An under/over bet is a bet that the combinedsum of the final scores in a sporting event is under or over a publishedtotal points value.

Parlay tickets have traditionally been offered through casinosportsbooks and their associated mobile apps, but can only be submittedby a single user. That is, a single user is responsible for selectingall of the individual bets in the parlay ticket.

It is with these limitations in mind, among others, that various aspectsof the disclosure were conceived.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a market gap for the creation of aunique betting platform where players are connected via a communicationnetwork for the purpose of publicly and privately crowdsourcingindividual bets to form parlay tickets. Users participate in parlaytickets with published odds, supporting against-the-spread, money-line,and over/under bets, and when all individual bets of the parlay win,users share in the calculated winnings. Users coordinate with oneanother to place individual bets to complete a parlay ticket wherebyeach bet in the ticket is represented by a unique user. A user can starta new, public parlay by setting the price, the number of individualbets, and the allowed bet types that make up the parlay. As part of thisprocess, they contribute the first bet to the parlay. A user can alsojoin an existing parlay by submitting an individual bet within it. Userscoordinate via the system and can choose to remain within a parlay, ordrop out, based on the bets being added, as long as none of the sportingevents related to bets within the parlay have started.

A user can also form groups of invited users to start and join parlaytickets whose entry is limited to the users of the group in which theparlay was formed.

Users can access the betting spreads, moneyline values, and point totalspublished for each sporting event on which they can bet, with the startdates and times of the sporting events presented. Users can view theodds that determine the payout for the parlay bets based on the numberof individual bets. The minimum price of a parlay is $3, representingthe lowest value of an individual bet in the parlay ($1) multiplied bythe minimum number of bets allowed in a parlay (3) that can be formed inthe system.

To entice user involvement and acquisition, the system is based on abeneficial-to-the-user twist: only those users whose individual betslose must pay for the cost of the parlay ticket. In other words, as longas the user's individual bet wins or ties, they do not lose, and theircost of participating in the parlay is covered. For example, if 5 userseach pay $5 to join a 5-bet, $25 parlay ticket, and 3 of those 5 userswin their bets, the remaining 2 losing users equally pay to cover thecost of the parlay ticket. In this example, they would split the cost ofthe $25 ticket, and hence pay $12.50 each, while the 3 winning users pay$0. Conversely, when all of the individual best in the parlay win, andhence the parlay ticket wins, the payout is exponential. In thisexample, a 5-bet parlay ticket may pay 25 for 1, meaning the userswithin the parlay each share in their portion of the $625 payout,potentially winning $125 for the $5 they initially wagered.

The hook for the consumer is that with one winning bet and additionalcoordinated bettors—they collectively can turn as little as $1 each,into a minimum of $6.50 each, with only a 3-bet parlay ticket. Thepayout values go up exponentially with a larger number of bets in aparlay ticket.

When the predefined number of bets in the parlay ticket have been lockedin and the ticket is submitted, each player is initially charged thefull cost of the parlay ticket and after the results of all of theindividual sporting events representing the bets in the parlay arecomplete, will be refunded or remain deducted based on the outcomes ofthe individual bets.

Public Vs Private Parlays

Users have the ability to create and join public and private parlays.Public parlays are those in which all qualified platform users canparticipate, though public parlays may be limited to public users basedon rank or profile. Users also have the ability to create groups ofinvited users for the purpose of forming private parlays consisting ofbets that can only be submitted by users within the group.

The User Experience

Users will have the ability to start and join public parlays as well asparlays within groups to which they belong. Starting a parlay involvesselecting the price, the number of bets, the type of sporting eventsallowed, and the type of bets allowed, as well as submitting the firstbet into the parlay ticket. To join an existing parlay, players can usefilterable lists to browse existing parlay tickets and their existingbets. Users can then select to submit an individual bet to join an openparlay. All the individual bets within a parlay must be unique. As newindividual bets are added to the parlay, the users that have placed betsin the parlay are notified so they can immediately decide whether toremain in the parlay or leave the parlay. If one or more usersdisapprove of the parlay ticket, they are removed from the ticket andthe parlay becomes available for another bettor to add their individualbet. Players can choose to be notified of the various events occurringwith the parlay tickets in which they are participating. For example,they can request to be notified of the status of the bets in the parlayor spread moves of the bets in the parlay.

Experience Points

Players receive experience points based on their participation andresults. Experience points are derived from a combination of thebettor's average bet cost, frequency of betting, number of individualbets won, number of parlay tickets won and their size, and more.Experience points are used to move up through a ranking system. Eachlevel related to experience points will have a unique name, for exampleRookie, Regular, Sharp Shooter, etc. An algorithm will be configured todetermine player movement within the ranking system. The further theplayer progresses in the ranking system, the more access they have tofeatures, data, and contests presented by the system.

Financial Implications

Each time a user attempts to add a bet to a parlay ticket, whether bystarting a new parlay, joining an existing parlay, or participating in acontest, the user's bankroll is queried for proper coverage of theentire cost of the parlay ticket. Users must have sufficient funds tocover the entire cost of the parlay ticket to cover the scenario inwhich they are the sole loser of the parlay. If a user does not havesufficient funds to cover the cost of the entire parlay ticket, they areprompted to add funds to their account. If a user removes themself froma parlay before the parlay has officially been submitted, theirbankrolls are refunded the full amount that they submitted for the costof the parlay. Players have immediate access to view existing funds intheir account, can transfer funds from existing financial institutionsto the platform, and can immediately withdraw funds and transfer themback to their connected financial account.

Additional Functionality

In one embodiment of the disclosure, an open parlay ticket with four ormore submitted bets can be finalized for a lesser number of bets if theparlay ticket still has open bets based on its original definition, andyet the first sporting event represented in the ticket is approachingits start time. As such, this can be a setting when users create a newparlay, such as: “Allow this parlay to be approved for submission if asporting event in the parlay is starting within 60 minutes and four ormore legs have been filled.” For example, a user starts a 10-bet parlayand only 8 bets are submitted, with one sporting event starting in anhour. The users are notified and asked if they would like to submit theticket as an 8-bet parlay.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, participants in a parlay ticket canbe offered to take a lesser payout. This offer is tendered when shortlyafter the results of the next-to-last bet in the parlay are confirmedand all bets, but the last bet in the parlay ticket, have won. Theordering of how these bets play out is based on the timing of thecompletion of the related sporting events. Players in the parlay mustunanimously vote to take the lesser payout before the event related tothe final bet in the parlay starts. Players can see each other's votesas they respond to the offer.

Free Play

To accommodate geographical regions where this form of gambling is notlegal, the platform will support free play, where wins and losses equateto points won and lost and there are no monetary funds exchanged. Onlyfree play will be supported in regions where this form of gambling isnot legal. For those players in geographical regions where this form ofgambling is legal, players will have the ability to participate in bothfree and wagered parlays, depending upon the sufficiency of funds intheir account.

According to one aspect, a system for publicly and privatelycrowdsourcing individual bets to form parlay tickets may include aserver computing device that receives realtime sports informationassociated with a plurality of different sports and sporting eventsincluding results and statistics that are received in realtime from avariety of different sources including multiple source server computingdevices. Sports application programming interfaces (APIs) from one ormore server computing devices may be used to provide real-time dataincluding pre-match odds, live and final scores, and win, loss, and tiedeterminations, among other information. The information may bedisplayed to users and used to calculate parlay payouts. The live sportsmay include sports associated with men's and women's professionalsporting leagues in the United States and throughout the world, as wellas United States National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men'sand women's college sporting leagues. Live sports may include but arenot limited to soccer (football), American football, ice hockey,basketball, baseball, golf, UFC, boxing, tennis, auto racing, rugby,cricket, lacrosse, and chess. The server computing device may include arealtime parlay application that generates parlay tickets that may beshared with one or more users in a list of public parlay tickets orshared privately with other users. Each user may use their own clientcomputing device or user device to place their own individual bet suchthe parlay ticket comprises multiple individual bets from multipledifferent users using different devices. The users may share in thewinnings and also share in the cost of the parlay ticket if they do notwin.

According to an aspect, a system includes a memory having instructionsstored thereon and at least one processor to execute the instructions todetermine information associated with a plurality of live sportingevents in realtime, the live sporting events having human players andrules to determine a winner of each live sporting event, receive from afirst client computing device of a plurality of client computingdevices, a request to create a crowdfunded parlay comprising a selectionof a create a crowdfunded parlay user interface element on a touchscreenuser interface of the first client computing device, the crowdfundedparlay having a plurality of individual bets, each individual betassociated with at least one of the plurality of live sporting events,determine a first physical location of the first client computing devicesent by the first client computing device, and confirm that the firstphysical location is a valid geographic location located within aparticular geofenced area to create the crowdfunded parlay, receive, bythe at least one processor, a first individual bet from the first clientcomputing device associated with the at least one of the plurality oflive sporting events comprising a selection of an individual bet userinterface element on the touchscreen user interface of the first clientcomputing device, the first individual bet having a first amountdeposited by the first client computing device, determine a secondphysical location of a second client computing device of the pluralityof client computing devices, the second physical location sent by secondclient computing device, and confirm that the second physical locationis a valid physical location within the particular geofenced area toreceive an individual bet, receive a second individual bet from thesecond client computing device associated with the at least one of theplurality of live sporting events comprising a selection of anindividual bet user interface element on a touchscreen user interface ofthe second client computing device and add the second individual bet tothe crowdfunded parlay, the second individual bet having a second amountdeposited by the second client computing device, determine an outcome ofthe first individual bet and an outcome of the second individual betbased on an outcome of the plurality of live sporting events in realtimeand transmit information associated with the outcome of the firstindividual bet and the outcome of the second individual bet to bedisplayed in realtime on the first client computing device and thesecond client computing device, and determine a result for the firstindividual bet and a result for the second individual bet and award ashare of a parlay payout based on the result for the first individualbet and the second individual bet.

According to another aspect, a method includes determining, by at leastone processor, information associated with a plurality of live sportingevents in realtime, the live sporting events having human players andrules to determine a winner of each live sporting event, receiving, bythe at least one processor, from a first client computing device of aplurality of client computing devices, a request to create a crowdfundedparlay comprising a selection of a create a crowdfunded parlay userinterface element on a touchscreen user interface of the first clientcomputing device, the crowdfunded parlay having a plurality ofindividual bets, each individual bet associated with at least one of theplurality of live sporting events, determining, by the at least oneprocessor, a first physical location of the first client computingdevice sent by the first client computing device, and confirming thatthe first physical location is a valid geographic location locatedwithin a particular geofenced area to create the crowdfunded parlay,receiving, by the at least one processor, a first individual bet fromthe first client computing device associated with the at least one ofthe plurality of live sporting events comprising a selection of anindividual bet user interface element on the touchscreen user interfaceof the first client computing device, the first individual bet having afirst amount deposited by the first client computing device,determining, by the at least one processor, a second physical locationof a second client computing device of the plurality of client computingdevices, the second physical location sent by second client computingdevice, and confirming that the second physical location is a validphysical location within the particular geofenced area to receive anindividual bet, receiving, by the at least one processor, a secondindividual bet from a second client computing device associated with theat least one of the plurality of live sporting events comprising aselection of an individual bet user interface element on a touchscreenuser interface of the second client computing device and adding thesecond individual bet to the crowdfunded parlay, the second individualbet having a second amount deposited by the second client computingdevice, determining, by the at least one processor, an outcome of thefirst individual bet and an outcome of the second individual bet basedon an outcome of the plurality of live sporting events in realtime andtransmitting information associated with the outcome of the firstindividual bet and the outcome of the second individual bet to bedisplayed in realtime on the first client computing device and thesecond client computing device, and determining, by the at least oneprocessor, a result for the first individual bet and a result for thesecond individual bet and awarding a share of a parlay payout based onthe result for the first individual bet and the second individual bet.

According to an additional aspect, a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium includes instructions stored thereon that, when executedby a computing device cause the computing device to perform operations,the operations including determining information associated with aplurality of live sporting events in realtime, the live sporting eventshaving human players and rules to determine a winner of each livesporting event, receiving, from a first client computing device of aplurality of client computing devices, a request to create a crowdfundedparlay comprising a selection of a create a crowdfunded parlay userinterface element on a touchscreen user interface of the first clientcomputing device, the crowdfunded parlay having a plurality ofindividual bets, each individual bet associated with at least one of theplurality of live sporting events, determining a first physical locationof the first client computing device sent by the first client computingdevice, and confirming that the first physical location is a validgeographic location located within a particular geofenced area to createthe crowdfunded parlay, receiving a first individual bet from the firstclient computing device associated with the at least one of theplurality of live sporting events comprising a selection of anindividual bet user interface element on the touchscreen user interfaceof the first client computing device, the first individual bet having afirst amount deposited by the first client computing device, determininga second physical location of a second client computing device of theplurality of client computing devices, the second physical location sentby second client computing device, and confirming that the secondphysical location is a valid physical location within the particulargeofenced area to receive an individual bet, receiving a secondindividual bet from the second client computing device associated withthe at least one of the plurality of live sporting events comprising aselection of an individual bet user interface element on a touchscreenuser interface of the second client computing device and adding thesecond individual bet to the crowdfunded parlay, the second individualbet having a second amount deposited by the second client computingdevice, determining an outcome of the first individual bet and anoutcome of the second individual bet based on an outcome of theplurality of live sporting events in realtime and transmittinginformation associated with the outcome of the first individual bet andthe outcome of the second individual bet to be displayed in realtime onthe first client computing device and the second client computingdevice, and determining a result for the first individual bet and aresult for the second individual bet and awarding a share of a parlaypayout based on the result for the first individual bet and the secondindividual bet.

These and other aspects, features, and benefits of the presentdisclosure will become apparent from the following detailed writtendescription of the preferred embodiments and aspects taken inconjunction with the following drawings, although variations andmodifications thereto may be effected without departing from the spiritand scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments and/or aspects of thedisclosure and, together with the written description, serve to explainthe principles of the disclosure. Wherever possible, the same referencenumbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or likeelements of an embodiment, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing operations associated with implementingand operating a sports gaming system according to an example of theinstant disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the sports gaming system according to anexample of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram representing a site map for adigital presence for the platform for at least one user according to anexample of the instant disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-17 show example screenshots/wireframes of example userinterfaces associated with the system and displayed by a computingdevice according to an example of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a flow diagram showing operations executed by a servercomputing device according to an example of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a system for implementing certain aspects ofthe present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a social sports betting platform andmethod. In the preferred embodiment, the platform and method areimplemented on one or more computer systems and/or networks.Particularly, the platform and method may be implemented using software,hardware, firmware or any combination thereof, as would be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art, and the figures and examplesprovided are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.Moreover, where certain elements of the present disclosure can bepartially or fully implemented using known components and processes,only those portions of such known components and processes that arenecessary for an understanding of the present disclosure will bedescribed, and detailed descriptions of other portions will be omittedso as not to obscure the disclosure.

The following description will include: (I) a discussion of the generalarchitecture and function of a social sports betting platform as shownin FIGS. 1 through 3 and FIGS. 18 and 19; (II) a detailed description ofhow a user may interact with the system in FIGS. 4A through 17; and(III) some examples of various embodiments of the sports wagering systemcorresponding to different types of sports betting in the remainingfigures.

The wagering system summarized below allows for the crowdsourcing ofindividual bets to make up a parlay ticket whereby each individual betin the parlay must be associated with a unique system user. One bettorcan only contribute one bet to a single parlay ticket, but they canparticipate in multiple parlays tickets. Because current sportsbooksites and access points for betting do not provide a social gamingenvironment that allows individual bettors to coordinate with others, aneed exists to provide a system that automatically hosts and facilitatesa social betting platform that allows users to publicly and privatelycrowdsource individual bets used to form a parlay in real time with aplurality of users.

A user interface (UI), as used herein, comprises one or more displayimages, generated by a display processor and enabling user interactionwith a processor or other device and associated data acquisition andprocessing functions. Data representing a UI design may be pre-stored ina repository or database in advance of execution and display thereof.The UI is caused to be displayed by combining the dynamic outputprocessing code or executable applications (based on the informationretrieved from the database) into the UI at runtime. The UI may alsoinclude an executable procedure or executable application. Theexecutable procedure or executable application conditions the displayprocessor to generate signals representing the UI display images. Thesesignals are supplied to a display device which displays the image forviewing by the user. The executable procedure or executable applicationfurther receives signals from user input devices, such as a keyboard,mouse, light pen, wearable, touch screen or any other means allowing auser to provide data to a processor. The processor, under control of anexecutable procedure or executable application manipulates the UIdisplay images in response to the signals received from the inputdevices, for example via a user's browser. In this way, the userinteracts with the display image using the input devices, enabling userinteraction with the processor or other device. The functions andprocess steps herein may be performed automatically or wholly orpartially in response to user command. An activity (including a step)performed automatically is performed in response to executableinstruction or device operation without user direct initiation of theactivity.

As an example, a system such as a server may perform operationsincluding determining, by at least one processor, information associatedwith a plurality of live sporting events in realtime, the live sportingevents having human players and rules to determine a winner of each livesporting event, receiving, by the at least one processor, from a firstclient computing device of a plurality of client computing devices, arequest to create a crowdfunded parlay comprising a selection of acreate a crowdfunded parlay user interface element on a touchscreen userinterface of the first client computing device, the crowdfunded parlayhaving a plurality of individual bets, each individual bet associatedwith at least one of the plurality of live sporting events, determining,by the at least one processor, a first physical location of the firstclient computing device sent by the first client computing device, andconfirming that the first physical location is a valid geographiclocation located within a particular geofenced area to create thecrowdfunded parlay, receiving, by the at least one processor, a firstindividual bet from the first client computing device associated withthe at least one of the plurality of live sporting events comprising aselection of an individual bet user interface element on the touchscreenuser interface of the first client computing device, the firstindividual bet having a first amount deposited by the first clientcomputing device, determining, by the at least one processor, a secondphysical location of a second client computing device of the pluralityof client computing devices, the second physical location sent by secondclient computing device, and confirming that the second physicallocation is a valid physical location within the particular geofencedarea to receive an individual bet, receiving, by the at least oneprocessor, a second individual bet from a second client computing deviceassociated with the at least one of the plurality of live sportingevents comprising a selection of an individual bet user interfaceelement on a touchscreen user interface of the second client computingdevice and adding the second individual bet to the crowdfunded parlay,the second individual bet having a second amount deposited by the secondclient computing device, determining, by the at least one processor, anoutcome of the first individual bet and an outcome of the secondindividual bet based on an outcome of the plurality of live sportingevents in realtime and transmitting information associated with theoutcome of the first individual bet and the outcome of the secondindividual bet to be displayed in realtime on the first client computingdevice and the second client computing device, and determining, by theat least one processor, a result for the first individual bet and aresult for the second individual bet and awarding a share of a parlaypayout based on the result for the first individual bet and the secondindividual bet.

Each client computing device associated with the plurality of clientcomputing devices may determine its location using geolocation servicesand/or a GPS hardware device to confirm that the user is in a locationwhere the particular form of sports gambling is legal. In addition, eachclient computing device may communicate with the plurality of clientcomputing devices in real-time. Forming the parlay may facilitatecollaboration and communication including real-time chat across legalinternational bettors.

Base Platform Functionality

FIG. 1 details an algorithm for creating and operating the socialbetting platform according to an example. In step 102, a system andmethod provides and implements a system enabling a plurality ofindividuals to gather for the purpose of collectively betting on theoutcome of parlay tickets formed by selecting from a plurality ofdifferent bet types related to sporting events while risking actualmoney. As used herein, the terms user and player may be usedinterchangeably. A sporting event as used herein may refer to a betcorresponding to a live sporting event that is selected by a user andincluded in a parlay ticket. The system may include a server computingdevice having at least one processor to execute executable instructionsthat implement game features as described herein. Users can selectivelyaccess this server via any computing device including, but not limitedto, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computing device, asmartphone or any other hardware device that enables a user to remotelyconnect with a server over any type of communication network and whoselocation can be accurately determined.

The system enables users to register and create a password-protecteduser account that grants access to the various features of the systembased on the user's location and the legality of this form of gamblingin that location. As a registered user of the system, a user can: 1)start new parlay tickets and define their parameters, 2) join anexisting parlay ticket that has already been defined by another user, 3)start and join groups with other invited users for the purpose offorming parlays with bets that can only be contributed by users in thegroup, and 4) participate in special events marketed by the system.While users can only submit one bet to any single parlay ticket, theycan contribute to multiple parlay tickets. Users can form multiplegroups and join multiple groups. Players receive experience points basedon their participation in parlay tickets and their results. Experiencepoints are derived from an algorithm combining the player's average betcost, frequency of betting, number of individual bets won, number ofparlay tickets won and their size, and more. Experience points are usedto move up through a ranking system that, as a user progresses, providesadditional access to features, data, and contests presented by thesystem.

The system provides users with the opportunity to view the bettingdetails associated with each open, joined, or group parlay ticket andthe individual details of the included sporting events. Upon theconclusion of the final sporting event included in a parlay ticket orcontest, the system calculates and distributes the appropriate payoutsto the players who contributed to the parlay.

In step 103, the system enables the user to manage an existing bankroll.Users can add and withdraw money to their bankroll to ensure they havesufficient funds to cover their bets. This can include but is notlimited to accepting online payments from credit and debit bank cards,cryptocurrency, or cash from a kiosk, as well as transferring funds backto connected financial accounts.

In step 104, the system enables the user to enter a virtual lobby.Controls are available within the lobby that enable the user to: a.)join existing public parlays; b.) start new public parlays; c.) formgroups; d.) join groups; and e.) participate in special contests.Secondary options are also available, such as but not limited to viewingand updating account settings, learning about betting and the rules forwinning and losing in the system, and getting support.

In step 105, the system enables the user to join a parlay. In thisinstance, the user can view the parameters of the parlay they want tojoin. The parameters include but are not limited to the price of theparlay ticket, the types of sporting events and bets allowed, the numberof individual bets necessary to complete the parlay, the uniqueindividual bets submitted by other users that are already included inthe parlay ticket, and the maximum payout. Filters are available thatallow the user to view a subset of the list of all the open publicparlays that are available to join. These filters include but are notlimited by selecting specific teams, specific bet types, or specificsports. Joining the parlay takes place when the user submits theirindividual bet and the financial transaction is successful. The parlayremains open until the users have contributed the predetermined numberof individual bets to complete the parlay ticket. The moneyline odds,over/under point totals, and point spreads for each individual bet arenot assigned until the parlay has officially been submitted. Asindividual bets are added to a parlay, the users who have placed bets inthe parlay are notified so they can immediately decide whether to remainin the parlay or leave the parlay. If one or more users disapprove ofthe parlay ticket, they are removed from the ticket and the parlaybecomes available for another player to add their individual bet. Onceall the users that have submitted individual bets in the parlay agree,or, the parlay ticket automatically reverts to a lesser number of bets,the parlay ticket is submitted.

In step 106, the system enables the user to start a public parlay.Starting a public parlay gives the user the opportunity to specify thesettings for the parlay ticket. In this instance, the user has controlsand fields to define the price for the parlay ticket (and consequentlythe cost of each individual bet), the number of bets for the parlay, thetype of sporting events that can be included, the type of bets allowed(against-the-spread, moneyline, or over/under, among others), and theparameters with which the parlay should be submitted. Starting theparlay takes place when the user defines the parameters of the parlayticket, chooses an individual bet as the first in the parlay, andsuccessfully submits the appropriate payment. The system and methodmakes the new parlay ticket available for others to join—whetherpublicly, or as part of a group, as defined. Any user can removethemselves from a parlay ticket at no cost at any time before the parlayticket has been officially submitted. Players in the parlay are notifiedas bets are added and removed from the parlay and the parlay ticketremains open and available for others to join until either: 1) allplayers have agreed to each of the bets in the parlay ticket and theticket consists of the number of bets as originally defined, or 2) theparlay is automatically submitted based on parameters defined when theparlay started.

In step 109, the system enables the user to start a group. Users havethe ability to create groups of invited users for the purpose of formingprivate parlays consisting of bets that can only be submitted by userswithin the group. To start a group, the user must invite users and theusers must agree to register in the system and join the group. Users canonly join a group (step 110) if they are invited by an existing memberof the group. If group members are to participate in monetized parlaytickets, they must be using the system while located in a geographicregion where such forms of sports gambling are legal. Once a group isformed, participants of the group have the ability to start and joinparlays that are limited to players within the group. The ability andlimitations to starting and joining parlays in a group are otherwise nodifferent from starting and joining public parlays.

In step 112, the system enables users to participate in special, limitedtime contests. These contests may include special parlay tickets andpayouts, group competitions, and head-to-head showdowns, among others.As with starting and joining any parlay, participating in a contestrequires verification of the appropriate funds to cover the cost ofparticipation in the event of maximum losses (step 107), and takingsteps as necessary to provide sufficient funds before the bet issubmitted.

In step 115, the system automatically calculates the results of parlaytickets and special contests immediately following the completion of thefinal sporting event included in the timeline of events related to betsthat are part of the parlay ticket or contest. Because players arerequired to pay for the full price of any parlay ticket they enter,players with winning bets are eligible to receive a full refund fortheir participation, as well as a portion of the parlay ticket payout inthe event the entire parlay ticket won.

If all the Bets in the Parlay Win

If all the bets in the parlay ticket win, each player is awarded theirshare of the parlay payout. For winning parlays containingagainst-the-spread and/or under/over bets, each player is awarded anequal share of the parlay payout. For winning parlays containingmoneyline bets, the shares of the parlay payout are proportionallydivided based on the published moneyline values associated with theusers' bets. The payout is immediately added to the individual players'bankrolls upon the completion of all sporting events related to the betsin the parlay ticket. For example, suppose you are part of a winning,$25, 5-bet parlay (e.g., participants paid $5 each to join), where eachbet was an against-the-spread or under/over bet. With published odds fora 5-bet parlay at 25:1, each participant shares in the $625 payout. Thiswill result in a $20 credit back to each player's account (to accountfor the original cost of the ticket minus their individual portion), aswell as a payout reward of $125, resulting in a profit of $120 for a2400% return on $5.

If One or More Bets Win or Push, and at Least One Bet in the ParlayTicket Loses

If one or more bets do not win, players that win or push theirindividual bets are not responsible for covering the cost of the ticketand will therefore be refunded the original price of the ticket.(Remember, each player must pay the full price of the parlay ticket uponsubmitting their bet to ensure they have funds enough to cover thescenario where they are the sole loser in the parlay.) Only the losingplayers in the parlay collectively and equally cover the cost of theoriginal parlay ticket, resulting in only a partial credit to theiraccount in return, in order to share in the cost of the parlay ticket.For example, if your bet is one of three winning bets in a $25, 5-betparlay similar to that described in the example above, the two losingplayers are responsible for covering the $25 parlay ticket resulting ina $25 credit to your account and the accounts of the other winningplayers, while the two losing players are only credited back $12.50,sharing in the cost of the ticket.

If all the Bets in the Parlay Lose

If all bets in the parlay ticket lose, each player simply shares in theoriginal cost of the parlay ticket, and is partially refunded the ticketamount they originally paid. For example, if all bets have lost in a$25, 5-bet parlay similar to that described in the example above, all 5players share in the cost of the $25 ticket, resulting in a credit of$20 back to each player in the parlay.

If Your Bet Pushes and Everyone Else Wins

If a player ties their bet and everyone else's individual bets in theparlay ticket win, the player does not lose. However, the player doesnot win either. The player's bet is removed from the parlay ticket, theplayer is credited the original cost of the parlay ticket, and theremaining participants of the parlay split the resultant winning payoutassociated with a parlay of lesser size. For example, if one bet pushesin a $25, 5-bet parlay similar to that described in the example above,the remaining four winning players share in the proceeds from the payoutassociated with a $20, 4-bet parlay ticket, while the player who pushedis refunded their full entry price for the parlay ticket.

EXAMPLES Example 1: User NFLFanTom Joins a Parlay

User NFLFanTom registers and deposits $100 from his bank's debit card asa starting balance. NFLFanTom heads to the virtual lobby to browse thelist of open public parlays and uses the filters to narrow the list ofthe preferred open public parlays to join. NFLFanTom identifies a $25,5-bet parlay ticket he would like to join and submits his uniqueindividual bet: Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers—he is taking theunder based on the published over/under points total. The cost of theentire parlay ticket is $25, or $5 per person. When NFLFanTom submitshis bet, the system checks that he has sufficient funds and since hedoes, the full $25 is deducted from his bankroll. NFLFanTom is notifiedas each remaining individual bet is added to the parlay, and is giventhe opportunity to drop out of the parlay. This process continues untilall five bets have been approved and added to the parlay. NFLFanTom andthe four other players that contributed to the parlay ticket arenotified that the parlay is now filled. NFLFanTom and the other userswait for the results of the sporting events on which they collectivelybet. The sporting events play out and the results of the individual betsare known and available in realtime and tabulated based on the finalscore and the point spread. The final score was 31:14 Vikings:Packerswith a published point total for the over/under defined at 48. NFLFanTomwon his bet, since he bet the under, but unfortunately, two players whocontributed their bets to the parlay ticket were less fortunate andtheir bets did not win. The parlay ticket is not a winner. With 3winning players and 2 losing players, the system reimburses NFLFanTomand the other two winning players for the $25 they initially paidbecause their bets won. The system charges the two users that lost byreimbursing the two players the difference between the initial cost ofthe parlay ticket ($25) and the split cost of the ticket divided by thenumber of losing players (in this case $25 divided by 2 or $12.50). Thetwo losing users are reimbursed $25−$12.50=$12.50, while the threewinning users are reimbursed the full $25 ticket fee.

Example 2: User NFLFanTom Starts a Parlay

User NFLFanTom selects to start a new public parlay. He selects to opena $40 parlay with 8 bets limited to against-the-spread and over/underbets for only NFL games occurring over the weekend. Additionally, he hasset this parlay up so that if all of the bets are not filled, it willrevert to, at the least, a six-bet parlay ticket. He adds hisbet—Minnesota Vikings −4 vs Green Bay Packers—and selects to submit thenew parlay. When NFLFanTom submits his bet, the system checks that hehas sufficient funds and since he does, the full $40 is deducted fromhis bankroll. NFLFanTom is notified as each remaining individual bet isadded to the parlay, and is given the opportunity to drop out of theparlay. This process continues until all eight bets have been approvedand added to the parlay, except this time, with only five minutesremaining until kickoff of the first sporting event, only seven betswithin the parlay have been filled. The parlay ticket is submittedautomatically with only seven bets and each player in the parlay isimmediately refunded $5 since the eighth $5-bet was never filled.NFLFanTom and the six other players that contributed to the parlayticket are notified that the parlay has been submitted with this lesseramount of bets and the ticket is submitted as a 7-bet parlay ticketpayout out at odds 100:1. NFLFanTom and the other users wait for theresults of the sporting events on which they collectively bet. Thesporting events play out and the results of the individual bets aretabulated based on the final scores and the point spreads. The Vikingsbeat the Packers by 7, enough to cover the 4-point spread. Additionally,the six other individual bets also won. The parlay ticket is a winnerfor a maximum payout of $3500. The seven users equally divide thepayout, each receiving $500. The system reimburses each of the 7 playersincluding NFLFanTom for $30 of the $35 they initially paid to play, andadditionally pays out $500 to each of them resulting in a $495 profit.

Example 3: User NFLFanTom Forms a Group

User NFLFanTom forms a group of friends that also like to bet on sports.He uses the system to send personalized invitations via email, textmessage, or push notification to his friends and/or shares a unique codethat can be used to join the group. As a result, 10 friends, some ofwhom were already registered in the system, and others who were not,register in the platform and join the group. As the group owner,NFLFanTom has full control of who can be invited into the group. Oncemembers have joined the group, members, including NFLFanTom, can startor join parlay tickets that are formed exclusively with bets provided bymembers of the group.

Example 4: User NFLFanTom is Offered an Opportunity to Secure a Win

User NFLFanTom is among 8 users in a $40, 8-bet parlay with a maximumpayout of $5600. Seven of the eight bets in the parlay have won andthere are two hours before the last sporting event related to the finalbet starts. The system sends a notification to each of the 8 usersrequesting to vote whether to accept the lesser payout offered, in thiscase $3000, or let the final bet play out as initially planned. UserNFLFanTom and the seven other players all agree to take the lesserpayout. Had one person not agreed, the offer would have been null andvoid, and they would all wait for the results of the final sportingevent. Since all agreed to take the lesser amount ($3000), while onlyseven of the bets contributed to the win, all eight players share thewinnings. That is, NFLFanTom and the other 7 players are each refunded$35 of the $40 they initially paid to get into the parlay ticket andthey will individually receive an additional payout of $3000/8=$375 perperson.

System Architecture

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system according to an example of theinstant disclosure. The hardware shown and described herein is ableimplement the instructions described above with respect to FIG. 1 whichrepresents an algorithm for creating and operating the system. Thesystem includes a server (202) that is connected via a communicationnetwork (204) to a plurality of user devices (206). While only threeuser devices are described herein, it is apparent that any number ofuser devices may connect to the server (202) via communication network(204). The user devices (206) allow users to transmit and receive dataassociated with the system in order to engage with the platform asdescribed above. User devices (206) include at least one of a computer,a tablet, a smartphone, or any other device able to receive input from auser and transmit data corresponding to the user input for receipt bythe server (202) as well as receive requested data from the server (202)while verifying the location of the user device (206).

The server (202) includes a processor (208), a repository (210) and auser interface generator (212). The repository (210) includes aplurality of instructions stored therein that direct the operation ofthe system. The instructions may be in the form of machine executablecode that are able to perform the functions described herein above withrespect to FIG. 1. When an activation of a particular feature isrequested, the processor (208) executes the instruction corresponding tothe particular feature that is stored in the repository. Upon executionand activation of the feature, the processor conditions the userinterface generator (212) to generate a display image for display to atleast one user that allows the user to make use of the particularfeature. The system is also in communication with an external source ofbetting data (214) from which category of bets, types of bets andparameters of bets may be obtained for use during engagement with thesystem. Alternatively, betting data may be stored locally in therepository (210) or acquired from external source (214) and cached inthe repository (210). Examples of data retrieved from external sourcesincludes sporting event data such as the teams involved, the times anddates of the sporting events, the current scores, the betting odds andvalues for against-the-spread, moneyline, and over/under bets, andsporting event results data that provides the ability to calculate theresults of the wagered parlay tickets.

The server (202) may have computer readable media and may includevolatile media, nonvolatile media, removable media, non-removable media,and/or another available medium that can be accessed by the processor(208). By way of example and not limitation, the computer readable mediacomprises computer storage media and communication media. Computerstorage media includes non-transitory storage memory, volatile media,nonvolatile media, removable media, and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in a method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer/machine-readable/executable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Communication media may embodycomputer/machine-readable/executable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data and include an information delivery mediaor system, both of which are hardware.

The processor (208) executes an initial instruction which conditions theuser interface generator (212) to generate a home page for presentationto at least one user upon the user accessing the system at an address onthe communication network or within a dedicated mobile app. An exampleis a home page encoded in a particular data format (e.g. HTML, withJavaScript and CSS) that is selectively accessible by users via a webaddress using communication protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP.Alternatively, the user interface generator (212) may send informationto the user device (206) for display by an application such as a mobileapplication or other native application executed by the user device.

The communication network (204) can be the Internet, an intranet, oranother wired or wireless communication network. For example, thecommunication network 106 may include a Mobile Communications (GSM)network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (GPP) network, an Internet Protocol (IP)network, a wireless application protocol (WAP) network, a WiFi network,a Bluetooth network, a satellite communications network, or an IEEE802.11 standards network, as well as various communications thereof.Other conventional and/or later developed wired and wireless networksmay also be used.

The mobile application may be a component of an application and/orservice executable by the at least one server (202) and/or the at leastone user device (206). For example, the mobile application may be asingle unit of deployable executable code or a plurality of units ofdeployable executable code. According to one aspect, the repository(210) may include one component that may be a web application, a nativeapplication, and/or a mobile application (e.g., an app) downloaded froma digital distribution application platform that allows users to browseand download applications developed with mobile software developmentkits (SDKs) including the App Store and GOOGLE PLAY®, among others.

System Site Map

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram representing a site map for adigital presence for the platform for at least one user according to anexample of the instant disclosure. A site map provides a look at thelandscape of a digital presence and represents the anticipatednavigation flow for users. The Home block (301) represents the defaultinterface where users land when they initially arrive at the platformprior to signing into the system with their unique credentials. Thedefault interface is the gateway for users of the system to log intotheir accounts and learn more about the system. The default interfacewill assist all types of users—from the completely uninformed to theexperienced bettor—in becoming educated about how to use and succeed atparticipating in the platform. This includes but is not limited tolearning about the basics of sports betting and parlay tickets, learninghow to get help about the abuses of gambling, and getting support.

The Sign Up block (302) represents the interface that users can use toregister within the system. The Lobby block (303) represents the virtualhome for registered users. From the lobby, users can navigate the mainplatform options. The Account Settings block (304) represents theinterface where users can view and adjust their system profile settingsand identifiers. The Fund My Account block (305) represents theinterface where users can add and manage their bankroll. This includesbut is not limited to providing methods for users to add and removefunds to and from their bankroll through financial transactions withconnected financial institution accounts. The Join a Parlay block (306)represents the interface where users can view and filter the list ofopen public parlays that are available to join. From here, users canjoin a parlay ticket by submitting an individual bet within the parlay.The Start a New Parlay block (307) represents the interface where userscan start a public parlay. Starting a public parlay gives the user theopportunity to specify the settings for the parlay including but notlimited to the parlay price, the number of bets included, and the sportson which users can bet. The My Parlays block (308) represents theinterface where users can view and manage the parlays in which they areparticipating. The Confirm Parlay block (309) represents the interfacewhere users can confirm that they individually agree to thespecifications of the parlay and the selections of their individual betand can choose to submit the parlay or exit and abandon the parlay. TheOpt-Out Offer block (310) represents the interface where users can optout for a lesser, guaranteed payout. The My Groups block (311)represents the interface where users can view and manage the groups towhich they belong. The Form a New Parlay Group block (312) representsthe interface where users can add and manage a new group. The Start aNew Group Parlay block (313) represents the interface where users canstart a new parlay ticket within one of their groups. The WithdrawalFrom Acct block (314) represents the interface where users can withdrawtheir funds and exit the platform.

User Interface

FIG. 4 is an exemplary wireframe of a default interface as representedby Home block (301) and generated by the system for display to at leastone user who has not yet logged into the system according to an exampleof the instant disclosure. The home page provides a gateway for users ofthe system to explore betting information, log into their accounts, andinitiate additional system functions based on user input from userdevices (206). The default interface includes an About Ususer-selectable image element (401) that, when selected, providesadditional information about the platform and the rules of play. Thedefault interface includes a Locations user selectable list element(402) that, when selected, provides the user with information about thelocations where it is legal to play for money. The display imageincludes a Support user selectable list element (403) that, whenselected, provides details about how to get assistance. The displayimage includes a Username user input field (404), a Password user inputfield (405), and a Sign In button (406) that allow users to securelyaccess the platform. The default interface further includes acall-to-action button (407) that allows users to sign up to beginparticipation in the platform, along with the Join a Parlay button(408), the Start a Parlay button (409), and the Form a Group button(409), that prompts users to first register within the platform (500)and then continue to navigate the user to the interface blocksrepresented by 306, 307, and 312, respectively. In addition, the homepage further includes the odds text table (411) to provide odd basedinformation for the payoffs for each parlay based on the number of betsthey can include, and the image link (412) that links users toadditional information to learn about sports betting.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary wireframe of a sign-up interface as representedby Sign Up block (302) and generated by the platform for display to atleast one user according to an example of the instant disclosure. Thesign-up interface provides for users of the platform to sign up andregister for access to the platform based on input by users using userdevice (206). The sign-up interface can include user input fields (500)and the Join Now button (501) for providing required information andsending the information to processor (208). Unregistered users willarrive here first, after attempting to select any of the buttons 407,408, 409, or 410.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary wireframe of a lobby as represented by Lobbyblock (303) and generated by the platform for display to at least oneuser according to an example of the instant disclosure. Once theusername and password are entered in their respective fields andsubmitted, the processor (208) receives the user credential data andauthenticates the entered data with user profile data stored onrepository (210). Once authenticated, the user can access all of themain public functions of the platform, including but not limited toviewing and updating an authenticated user's avatar or picture (601),bankroll and account settings (602), and access and manage the bankroll(603). The lobby also contains a Start a Parlay button (604) for usersto quickly get started. Users can view the list of open public parlays(611) when the Open Parlays button (605) is selected. Users can narrowthe list of parlays using the filters (509), the parlay price slider(608), and the advanced filters (610). When users are ready to submit abet and join a parlay, they select the Join Parlay button (613). Userscan view the parlays that they have joined when they select the MyParlays button (606). Users can view the groups they belong to and theirgroup parlays when they select the My Groups button (607).

FIG. 7 is an exemplary wireframe of a join-a-parlay interface asrepresented by Join a Parlay block (306) and generated by the platformfor display to at least one user according to an example of the instantdisclosure. The join-a-parlay interface provides for users of theplatform to add their bet to a public parlay ticket, including but notlimited to verifying the parameters of the parlay, selecting a bet orletting the system select a bet, and agreeing to place the bet withinthe parlay. Users use the options in (701) to have the system select thecorresponding bet for them, and the select button (702) to add the betto the parlay. The join-a-parlay interface also contains the list ofcurrent sporting events and available bets (703) from which users canbrowse and select their bet. Additionally, users use the notificationoptions (704) to configure notification settings associated with theparlay. Users select the Place My Bet button (705) when they are readyto submit their bet to the parlay.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary wireframe of a start-a-new-parlay interface asrepresented by Confirm parlay block (309) and generated by the platformfor display to at least one user according to an example of the instantdisclosure. The start-a-new-parlay interface provides for users of theplatform to specify the parlay ticket settings, add their bet, and makethe parlay ticket available for others to join. Users specify settings(801) to set up the parlay that they want to start. Users then use theoptions in (802) to have the system select the corresponding bet forthem, and the select button (803) to add the bet to the parlay. Thestart-a-new-parlay interface also contains the list of current sportingevents and available bets (804) from which users can browse and selecttheir bet. Users can specify notification options (704) to configurenotification settings associated with the parlay. Additionally, usersuse the hedge option (805) to configure whether to allow theparticipants in the parlay to opt-out for a lesser, guaranteed payout.Users select the Confirm Parlay button (806) when they are ready to openthe parlay ticket and make it available for others to join.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary wireframe of an opt-out interface as representedby Opt-Out block (310) and generated by the platform for display to atleast one user according to an example of the instant disclosure. Theopt-out interface provides for users of the platform to vote on whetherto accept an offer for a lesser, guaranteed payout when all but one betin the parlay ticket has been won and the final event has not yetstarted. The vote to opt-out must be unanimous among all theparticipants of the parlay. Users select either the yes button (901) tovote to collect the guaranteed payout, or the no button (902) todisapprove the offer to opt-out and allow the parlay ticket to play-outas originally planned.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary wireframe of a my-parlays interface asrepresented by My Parlays block (308) and generated by the platform fordisplay to at least one user according to an example of the instantdisclosure. This interface is displayed to users when they select the MyParlays tab (1001). The interface allows users to view their live parlaytickets (those tickets awaiting participants and those tickets withgames in progress), and history of parlay tickets in which they havesubmitted bets, among other functions. Parlay ticket (1002) shows anexample parlay ticket. Users can view their history with similar suchparlays as shown in the example noted by (1003). Users can chat amongthe other players who have submitted bets in the parlay ticket, asexemplified in area (1004).

FIG. 11 is an exemplary wireframe of a my-groups interface asrepresented by My Groups block (311) and generated by the platform fordisplay to at least one user according to an example of the instantdisclosure. This interface is displayed to users when they select the MyGroups tab (1101). The page allows users of the group (1102) to view andmanage the groups and group parlay tickets they have started and joined.The interface contains the Start New Group Parlay button (1103) thatallows users to start a new parlay ticket limited to entries submittedby other group members. The interface also shows an example of a chatarea (1104) that allows group members to send chat communicationsamongst themselves. Users select the Form a New Parlay Group button(1105) to form a new group by inviting a set of new users to the group.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary wireframe of a new-group interface asrepresented by Start a New Parlay Group block (312) and generated by theplatform for display to at least one user according to an example of theinstant disclosure. This interface is displayed to users when theyselect the Form a New Parlay Group button (1105). The interface (1201)allows users to invite other players to participate in a new group. Theinterface contains the Send Group Invitation button (1202) that willsend communications to the invited users allowing them to join thegroup.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary wireframe of a new-group-parlay interface asrepresented by Start a New Group Parlay block (313) and generated by theplatform for display to at least one user according to an example of theinstant disclosure. This interface, similar to that depicted in FIG. 8is displayed to users when they select the Start a New Group Parlaybutton (1103). The interface allows users to configure and start a newparlay consisting of bets contributed solely by members of the group,using the new parlay area (1301). The interface contains the ConfirmParlay button (1302) when the user is ready to start a parlay with themembers of their group.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary wireframe of a fund-my-account interface asrepresented by Fund My Account block (305) and generated by the platformfor display to at least one user according to an example of the instantdisclosure. This interface is displayed to users when they select theAdd Funds button (603). The interface allows users to add and managetheir bankroll. Users can transfer funds (1401) to connect a financialaccount and transfer funds to/from their accounts at financialinstitutions or on credit cards. The interface contains the DepositChecks button (1402) to use their cameras to capture checks written forthe purpose of funding their account.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary wireframe of a quit-and-exit interface asrepresented by Quit and Exit block (314) and generated by the platformfor display to at least one user according to an example of the instantdisclosure. This interface is displayed to users when they select theTransfer Funds button (1403). The interface allows users to quit andexit the platform. Users use the Quit and Exit button (1501) to quit andexit.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary wireframe of an account-settings interface asrepresented by Account Settings block (304) and generated by theplatform for display to at least one user according to an example of theinstant disclosure. This interface is displayed to users when theyselect the Account Settings button (601). The interface allows users tomanage their account settings. Users use the Edit button (1601) tomanage account settings.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary wireframe of the default login screen on amobile device as other examples of user devices (306) that can be usedto display the interfaces described above and generated by the platformfor display to at least one user according to an example of the instantdisclosure.

Each of the user interfaces may be displayed by a browser of a userdevice (206) and/or a native application associated with the userdevice.

In one example, the server (202) may provide a multiplayer wageringmethod including offering multiple betting options related to humansporting events to bettors while providing one or more wagering inputdevices in communication with a system controller, offering each bettorthe ability to add funds to and withdraw funds from a bankroll/accountfor regions where the system is offered and this form of gambling islegal, receiving bets from the bettors to create publicly or privatelycrowdfunded parlays with each individual bet pertaining to a humansporting event, providing a means for bettors to browse a list ofpublicly crowdfunded parlays into which they can place a bet, providinga method for bettors to approve each of the individual bets within apublicly crowdfunded parlay, determining whether each bettor thatparticipates in a crowd-funded parlay has sufficient funds toparticipate in the parlay, and only if so, withdrawing exact funds forthe full cost of the parlay ticket from each bettor as their bet withina parlay is placed, determining whether each bet within crowdfundedparlays is a winning bet, a tied bet, or a losing bet, determining apayout amount for crowdfunded parlays that qualify as winning bets andcrediting the bettors with bets in the parlay with the appropriatewinnings, and determining the appropriate withdrawal amount requiredfrom each bettor participating in crowdfund parlays that qualify aslosing bets and withdrawing a calculated cost of the parlay ticket onlyfrom those bettors in the parlay who lost their individual bets. In afurther example, bettors may be offered an opportunity to secure awinning parlay ticket, albeit at a lesser payout amount, when there isone remaining bet in the crowdfunded parlay that pertains to a sportingevent that has not yet started, while all other individual bets havealready won. Bettors can form private groups to crowdfund bets limitedto bettors within the group. In addition, bettors can invite otherbettors to join groups to crowdfund bets. In another example, bettorscan remove other bettors from groups. Bettors can view data andstatistics related to their betting history and also can view data andstatistics related to other bettors' history. Bettors can also view theindividual bets within each crowdfunded parlay. Bettors can, if sodesired, remove their bets as other bettors submit bets within eachcrowdfunded parlay. Additionally, bettors can participate in specialdaily, weekly, and monthly contests, as well as special daily, weekly,and monthly betting events.

In another example, the server 202 can be a system that includes atleast one processing element which is adapted to receive wagers on humansporting events, to calculate odds relating to the wagers based on apari-mutuel wagering strategy, to determine whether the received wagersare winning wagers, and to determine a payout amount for the winningwagers based on the pari-mutuel wagering strategy. In addition, thesystem can include a plurality of linking elements which arecommunicatively coupled to the database with at least one processingelement and which are adapted to allow for communication with the atleast one processing element; and a plurality of input elements whichare communicatively coupled to the plurality of linking elements andwhich allow bettors to communicate with the at least one processingelement in order to place bets. In an example, the input elements of thesystem may include elements available through electronic devices such assmartphones, kiosks, wearables, computers, and tablets. The linkingelements may include wireless networking elements, wired networkingelements, gateway elements, servers, and portals. The at least oneprocessing element may be a host server. The system may utilize locationservices, or other such technology, available through cellular, Wi-Fi,Global Positioning System (GPS) networks, and Bluetooth to validate thatthe user is using the system in a location where sports gambling islegal. Where not legal, users can play for free.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart of a process 1800 for creating acrowdfunded parlay for a plurality of users according to an example ofthe instant disclosure. In a first step 1810, the server 202 determinesinformation associated with a plurality of live sporting events inrealtime, the live sporting events having human players and rules todetermine a winner of each live sporting event. Next, in step 1820, theserver 202 receives from a first client computing device of a pluralityof client computing devices, e.g., user devices 206, a request to createa crowdfunded parlay. The request may be based on a selection of acreate a crowdfunded parlay user interface element on a touchscreen userinterface of the first client computing device 206 and the crowdfundedparlay may have a plurality of individual bets, each individual betassociated with at least one of the plurality of live sporting events.

As an example, this may include receiving a request for a list ofpublicly crowdfunded parlays from the first client computing device 206and transmitting the list of publicly crowdfunded parlays to the firstclient computing device for display on the first client computingdevice. As an example, the process 1800 may include transmittinginformation associated with one of a daily contest or betting event, aweekly daily contest or betting event, and a monthly contest or bettingevent.

Next, in step 1830, the server 202 may determine a first physicallocation of the first client computing device sent by the first clientcomputing device 206 and confirm that the first physical location is avalid geographic location located within a particular geofenced area tocreate the crowdfunded parlay, e.g., state borders associated with astate that has legalized sports betting such as Nevada, Colorado,Pennsylvania, or Iowa. The process 1800 may include determining thefirst physical location of the first client computing device using atleast one of cellular, Wi-Fi, Global Positioning System (GPS) networks,and Bluetooth to validate that the first client computing device islocated in a location where sports gambling is legal.

In step 1840, the server 202 may receive a first individual bet from thefirst client computing device 206 associated with the at least one ofthe plurality of live sporting events. The user of the first clientcomputing device may select an individual bet user interface element onthe touchscreen user interface of the first client computing device andthe first individual bet may have a first amount deposited by the firstclient computing device.

The process 1800 may include determining whether each bettor thatparticipates in the crowdfunded parlay has sufficient funds toparticipate in the crowdfunded parlay, and withdrawing exact funds for afull cost of a crowdfunded parlay ticket from each bettor as a bet isplaced.

The process 1800 may include sending an invitation to the crowdfundingparlay to at least one client computing device of the plurality ofclient computing devices.

In step 1840, the server 202 may continue to receive individual betsfrom other users using client computing devices 206 and the individualbets may be added to the crowdfunded parlay. This may includedetermining a second physical location of a second client computingdevice of the plurality of client computing devices 206, the secondphysical location sent by second client computing device, and confirmingthat the second physical location is a valid physical location withinthe particular geofenced area to receive an individual bet. This alsomay include receiving a second individual bet from a second clientcomputing device associated with the at least one of the plurality oflive sporting events. As an example, a user may select an individual betuser interface element on a touchscreen user interface of the secondclient computing device and this may add the second individual bet tothe crowdfunded parlay, the second individual bet having a second amountdeposited by the second client computing device. Step 1840 may includereceiving individual bets to add to the crowdfunded parlay from a thirdclient computing device, a fourth client computing device, a fifthclient computing device, and so on.

As an example, the process 1800 may include displaying on a display ofat least one client computing device each individual bet associated withthe crowdfunded parlay. As another example, the process 1800 may includerequesting an approval of each of the individual bets within thecrowdfunded parlay.

In step 1850, the server 202 may determine an outcome of the firstindividual bet and an outcome of the second individual bet based on anoutcome of the plurality of live sporting events in realtime andtransmit information associated with the outcome of the first individualbet and the outcome of the second individual bet to be displayed inrealtime on the first client computing device and the second clientcomputing device. In addition, the server 202 may determine a result forthe first individual bet and a result for the second individual bet andaward a share of a parlay payout based on the result for the firstindividual bet and the second individual bet as well as other individualbets. Step 1850 may include determining whether each bet within thecrowdfunded parlay is a winning bet, a tied bet, or a losing bet.

In some examples, one bettor may be offered an opportunity to secure awinning parlay ticket at a lesser payout amount when there is at leastone remaining bet in the crowdfunded parlay associated with a sportingevent that has not yet started, while all other individual bets havealready won.

The process 1800 may further include determining that the firstindividual bet is a win and determining that the second individual betis a win and awarding an equal share of the parlay payout to the firstclient computing device and the second client computing device.

Additionally, the process 1800 may include creating the crowdfundedparlay as one of a public crowdfunded parlay and a private crowdfundedparlay.

As an example, the process 1800 may include determining that the firstindividual bet is a loss and the second individual bet is a win anddebiting an account associated with the first computing device for thecrowdfunded parlay.

In another example, the process 1800 may include determining that thesecond individual bet is a loss and the first individual bet is a winand debiting an account associated with the second computing device forthe crowdfunded parlay.

In another example, the process 1800 may include determining that thefirst individual bet is a loss and the second individual bet is a lossand dividing a cost of the crowdfunded parlay between an accountassociated with the first computing device and an account associatedwith the second computing device.

The process 1800 may further include one of adding and withdrawing fundsbased on a request from one of the first client computing device and thesecond client computing device, the funds associated with thecrowdfunded parlay.

The process 1800 may include receiving a request for history informationand transmitting data and statistics related to a betting history for auser using the first client computing device. Additionally, the process1800 may include receiving a request for history information andtransmitting data and statistics related to betting history for usersother than a user using the first client computing device.

FIG. 19 shows an example of computing system 1900, which can be forexample any computing device making up the server 202, the user device206, or any component thereof in which the components of the system arein communication with each other using connection 1905. Connection 1905can be a physical connection via a bus, or a direct connection intoprocessor 1910, such as in a chipset architecture. Connection 1905 canalso be a virtual connection, networked connection, or logicalconnection.

In some embodiments, computing system 1900 is a distributed system inwhich the functions described in this disclosure can be distributedwithin a datacenter, multiple data centers, a peer network, etc. In someembodiments, one or more of the described system components representsmany such components each performing some or all of the function forwhich the component is described. In some embodiments, the componentscan be physical or virtual devices.

Example system 1900 includes at least one processing unit (CPU orprocessor) 1910 and connection 1905 that couples various systemcomponents including system memory 1915, such as read-only memory (ROM)1920 and random access memory (RAM) 1925 to processor 1910. Computingsystem 1900 can include a cache of high-speed memory 1912 connecteddirectly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of processor1910.

Processor 1910 can include any general purpose processor and a hardwareservice or software service, such as services 1932, 1934, and 1936stored in storage device 1930, configured to control processor 1910 aswell as a special-purpose processor where software instructions areincorporated into the actual processor design. Processor 1910 mayessentially be a completely self-contained computing system, containingmultiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. Amulti-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric.

To enable user interaction, computing system 1900 includes an inputdevice 1945, which can represent any number of input mechanisms, such asa microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture orgraphical input, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech, etc. Computingsystem 1900 can also include output device 1935, which can be one ormore of a number of output mechanisms known to those of skill in theart. In some instances, multimodal systems can enable a user to providemultiple types of input/output to communicate with computing system1900. Computing system 1900 can include communications interface 1940,which can generally govern and manage the user input and system output.There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardwarearrangement, and therefore the basic features here may easily besubstituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they aredeveloped.

Storage device 1930 can be a non-volatile memory device and can be ahard disk or other types of computer readable media which can store datathat are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks,cartridges, random access memories (RAMs), read-only memory (ROM),and/or some combination of these devices.

The storage device 1930 can include software services, servers,services, etc., that when the code that defines such software isexecuted by the processor 1910, it causes the system to perform afunction. In some embodiments, a hardware service that performs aparticular function can include the software component stored in acomputer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardwarecomponents, such as processor 1910, connection 1905, output device 1935,etc., to carry out the function.

For clarity of explanation, in some instances, the present technologymay be presented as including individual functional blocks includingfunctional blocks comprising devices, device components, steps orroutines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardwareand software.

Any of the steps, operations, functions, or processes described hereinmay be performed or implemented by a combination of hardware andsoftware services or services, alone or in combination with otherdevices. In some embodiments, a service can be software that resides inmemory of a client device and/or one or more servers of a contentmanagement system and perform one or more functions when a processorexecutes the software associated with the service. In some embodiments,a service is a program or a collection of programs that carry out aspecific function. In some embodiments, a service can be considered aserver. The memory can be a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, andmemories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bit streamand the like. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readablestorage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals,electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

Methods according to the above-described examples can be implementedusing computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwiseavailable from computer-readable media. Such instructions can comprise,for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing device to perform a certain function or group of functions.Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network.The executable computer instructions may be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, orsource code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used tostore instructions, information used, and/or information created duringmethods according to described examples include magnetic or opticaldisks, solid-state memory devices, flash memory, USB devices providedwith non-volatile memory, networked storage devices, and so on.

Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can comprisehardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety ofform factors. Typical examples of such form factors include servers,laptops, smartphones, small form factor personal computers, personaldigital assistants, and so on. The functionality described herein alsocan be embodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionality canalso be implemented on a circuit board among different chips ordifferent processes executing in a single device, by way of furtherexample.

The instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computingresources for executing them, and other structures for supporting suchcomputing resources are means for providing the functions described inthese disclosures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, by the at leastone processor, from a first client computing device of a plurality ofclient computing devices, a request to create a crowdfunded parlay, thecrowdfunded parlay having a plurality of individual bets, eachindividual bet associated with at least one of a plurality of livesporting events; determining, by the at least one processor, a firstphysical location of the first client computing device sent by the firstclient computing device to validate that the first client computingdevice is located in a location where sports gambling is legal, andconfirming that the first physical location is a valid geographiclocation located within a particular geofenced area to create thecrowdfunded parlay; receiving, by the at least one processor, a firstindividual bet from the first client computing device associated withthe at least one of the plurality of live sporting events comprising aselection of an individual bet user interface element on the touchscreenuser interface of the first client computing device, the firstindividual bet having a first amount deposited by a user of the firstclient computing device; determining, by the at least one processor, asecond physical location of a second client computing device of theplurality of client computing devices to validate that the second clientcomputing device is located in a location where sports gambling islegal, the second physical location sent by the second client computingdevice, and confirming that the second physical location is a validphysical location within the particular geofenced area to receive anindividual bet; receiving, by the at least one processor, a secondindividual bet from the second client computing device associated withthe at least one of the plurality of live sporting events and adding thesecond individual bet to the crowdfunded parlay, the second individualbet having a second amount deposited by a user of the second clientcomputing device; and continually determining, by the at least oneprocessor, that the first client computing device and the second clientcomputing device are in a valid physical location to participate in thecrowdfunded parlay until a predetermined number of bets have beenapproved and added to the crowdfunded parlay, limiting each of the firstclient computing device and the second client computing device to thefirst individual bet and the second individual bet, determining that thefirst individual bet and the second individual bet are different, anddetermining that the first amount deposited by the user of the firstclient computing device and the second amount deposited by the user ofthe second client computing device each individually cover thepredetermined number of bets.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining, by at least one processor, informationassociated with the plurality of live sporting events in realtime, thelive sporting events having human players and rules to determine awinner of each live sporting event.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining the location of the first client computing deviceand determining the location of the second client computing device usingat least one of cellular, Wi-Fi, Global Positioning System (GPS)networks, and Bluetooth.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving a selection of a create a crowdfunded parlay user interfaceelement on a touchscreen user interface of the first client computingdevice.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving aselection of an individual bet user interface element on a touchscreenuser interface of the second client computing device.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising sending an invitation to participate in thecrowdfunded parlay to the plurality of client computing devices using atleast one of an email, a text message, and a push notification.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising sending a notification to thefirst client computing device and the second client computing device toaccept a lesser payout for the crowdfunded parlay when at least oneindividual bet has won and when there is at least one remainingindividual bet in the crowdfunded parlay.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising sending a notification to participate in a specialcrowdfunded parlay to the plurality of client computing devices.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the particular geofenced area is based on alist of states having legalized sports betting.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the predetermined number of bets is three.
 11. A system,comprising: a processor; and a memory device in communication with theprocessor, the processor to: receive from a first client computingdevice of a plurality of client computing devices, a request to create acrowdfunded parlay, the crowdfunded parlay having a plurality ofindividual bets, each individual bet associated with at least one of aplurality of live sporting events; determine a first physical locationof the first client computing device sent by the first client computingdevice to validate that the first client computing device is located ina location where sports gambling is legal, and confirm that the firstphysical location is a valid geographic location located within aparticular geofenced area to create the crowdfunded parlay; receive afirst individual bet from the first client computing device associatedwith the at least one of the plurality of live sporting eventscomprising a selection of an individual bet user interface element onthe touchscreen user interface of the first client computing device, thefirst individual bet having a first amount deposited by a user of thefirst client computing device; determine a second physical location of asecond client computing device of the plurality of client computingdevices to validate that the second client computing device is locatedin a location where sports gambling is legal, the second physicallocation sent by the second client computing device, and confirm thatthe second physical location is a valid physical location within theparticular geofenced area to receive an individual bet; receive a secondindividual bet from the second client computing device associated withthe at least one of the plurality of live sporting events and adding thesecond individual bet to the crowdfunded parlay, the second individualbet having a second amount deposited by a user of the second clientcomputing device; and continually determine that the first clientcomputing device and the second client computing device are in a validphysical location to participate in the crowdfunded parlay until apredetermined number of bets have been approved and added to thecrowdfunded parlay, limit each of the first client computing device andthe second client computing device to the first individual bet and thesecond individual bet, determine that the first individual bet and thesecond individual bet are different, and determine that the first amountdeposited by the user of the first client computing device and thesecond amount deposited by the user of the second client computingdevice each individually cover the predetermined number of bets.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, the processor further to determine informationassociated with the plurality of live sporting events in realtime, thelive sporting events having human players and rules to determine awinner of each live sporting event.
 13. The system of claim 11, theprocessor further to determine the location of the first clientcomputing device and determine the location of the second clientcomputing device using at least one of cellular, Wi-Fi, GlobalPositioning System (GPS) networks, and Bluetooth.
 14. The system ofclaim 11, the processor further to receive a selection of a create acrowdfunded parlay user interface element on a touchscreen userinterface of the first client computing device.
 15. The system of claim11, the processor further to receive a selection of an individual betuser interface element on a touchscreen user interface of the secondclient computing device.
 16. The system of claim 11, the processorfurther to send an invitation to participate in the crowdfunded parlayto the plurality of client computing devices using at least one of anemail, a text message, and a push notification.
 17. The system of claim11, the processor further to send a notification to the first clientcomputing device and the second client computing device to accept alesser payout for the crowdfunded parlay when at least one individualbet has won and when there is at least one remaining individual bet inthe crowdfunded parlay.
 18. The system of claim 11, the processorfurther to send a notification to participate in a special crowdfundedparlay to the plurality of client computing devices.
 19. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the particular geofenced area is based on a list ofstates having legalized sports betting.
 20. The system of claim 11,wherein the predetermined number of bets is three.
 21. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, having instructions stored thereonthat, when executed by at least one computing device cause the at leastone computing device to perform operations, the operations comprising:receiving from a first client computing device of a plurality of clientcomputing devices, a request to create a crowdfunded parlay, thecrowdfunded parlay having a plurality of individual bets, eachindividual bet associated with at least one of a plurality of livesporting events; determining a first physical location of the firstclient computing device sent by the first client computing device tovalidate that the first client computing device is located in a locationwhere sports gambling is legal, and confirming that the first physicallocation is a valid geographic location located within a particulargeofenced area to create the crowdfunded parlay; receiving a firstindividual bet from the first client computing device associated withthe at least one of the plurality of live sporting events comprising aselection of an individual bet user interface element on the touchscreenuser interface of the first client computing device, the firstindividual bet having a first amount deposited by a user of the firstclient computing device; determining a second physical location of asecond client computing device of the plurality of client computingdevices to validate that the second client computing device is locatedin a location where sports gambling is legal, the second physicallocation sent by the second client computing device, and confirming thatthe second physical location is a valid physical location within theparticular geofenced area to receive an individual bet; receiving asecond individual bet from the second client computing device associatedwith the at least one of the plurality of live sporting events andadding the second individual bet to the crowdfunded parlay, the secondindividual bet having a second amount deposited by a user of the secondclient computing device; and continually determining that the firstclient computing device and the second client computing device are in avalid physical location to participate in the crowdfunded parlay until apredetermined number of bets have been approved and added to thecrowdfunded parlay, limiting each of the first client computing deviceand the second client computing device to the first individual bet andthe second individual bet, determining that the first individual bet andthe second individual bet are different, and determining that the firstamount deposited by the user of the first client computing device andthe second amount deposited by the user of the second client computingdevice each individually cover the predetermined number of bets.
 22. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein theparticular geofenced area is based on a list of states having legalizedsports betting.